Here is a look at some of the major companies that are changing the way they think to combat the growing problem of climate change.

It is no secret that lately, climate change has become one
of the most pressing issues across the world. Since the birth of the industrial
revolution, our everyday practices have severely damaged the natural balance of
the planet.

According to the UN
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world needs to take rapid
changes in all aspects of society to avoid disastrous global warming levels. At
the present rate, the UN says that the planet will reach critically dangerous
levels by 2030 unless immediate action is taken to counteract the effects of climate
change.

Global industries have played a significant role in the prevailing
climatic conditions. If any significant change has to happen to prevent major
disasters, it has to be through these large companies. For their part, there
are quite a few organizations and corporations fighting against the effects of
climate change. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Elders Climate Action

Logo of Elders Climate Action

One of the foremost organizations stepping up to the plate to
combat climate change is the Elders Climate Action. This is a project of the
Elders Action Network, which has partnered with other similar organizations and
companies to encourage more sustainable business practices.

The organization is determined to change the national
policies to improve our chances of preventing catastrophic climatic conditions
in the near future. A commendable effort from an organization that primarily consists
of people who might not live long to see the drastic effects change our lives,
but they are determined to make the future better for younger generations.

JetBlue and Renewable Jet Fuel

A JetBlue commercial airliner in flight

Commercial airliners contribute to a vast majority of the CO2
emissions in the air. In fact, taking a single return flight generates
more CO2 than what the citizens of some countries produce
throughout the year. This means that the airline industry needs to take an
initiative for more sustainable practices. JetBlue is doing exactly that
through its Climate Leadership project.

The company is offsetting over 2 billion pounds of CO2
emissions and investing in next- generation technology to improve airline
efficiency. One of the company’s major commitments is the largest renewable jet
fuel purchases in the history of aviation.

Renewable jet fuel is different from traditional jet fuel as
it relies on biological waste for production. This way, the fuel can be sourced
through more sustainable means and in a quicker manner. The switch to renewable
fuel can drastically reduce emissions released into the air while maintaining
the safety and reliability of commercial airline transport.

Nestle and Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil

Nestle is the biggest name in the food production industry.
The multinational corporation has stepped up its efforts to control the supply
chain and manufacture products through ethically and environmentally-responsible
sourced raw materials.

Nestle has been heavily criticized for its use of palm oil in
a lot of products. Palm oil is mostly produced through facilities that have
removed large forested areas to make way for palm trees. This removal of
forests has led to severe deforestation and a loss of natural habitat for
wildlife throughout the world. Nestle has committed to change its stance on how
its palm oil is sourced.

The company is now committing to use 100% responsibly-sourced
palm oil for its products by 2020. The company aims to do that by blacklisting
companies that do not comply with the new policies. Through satellite imagery,
Nestle will ensure that there is no deforestation resulting from its supply
chain.

For the longest time, Nestle has been a part of the problem.
If a company of this scale is able to administer drastic changes, it can become
a part of the solution to fight climate change.

Final Thoughts

While
a lot needs to be done to fight climate change and its effects on the world,
the steps being taken by the likes of the Elders Climate Action, JetBlue, and
Nestle are commendable. In order to make a meaningful impact, these efforts
need to be a part of a much bigger picture and convince large companies to change
their business operations.